New Zealand

Heath Davis

Born: November 30, 1971, Lower Hutt, Wellington

Heath Davis bio

Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis, a former New Zealand cricketer, is known for his journey of overcoming major technique problems to become a formidable fast bowler. Born on March 3, 1970, in New Zealand, Davis made his mark in the cricket world with his exceptional pace and ability to generate bounce and hostility.

At the beginning of his career, Davis struggled with overstepping and accuracy due to faulty technique at delivery. Despite these challenges, he was selected for the tour of England in 1994. In his debut Test, he faced initial difficulties, sending his first delivery for four wides. However, he managed to take an early wicket but ended up with just that one for plenty. This performance kept him out of the New Zealand squad for almost three years as he worked on rectifying his shortcomings.

During his time away from international cricket, Davis focused on improving his rhythm and technique. Under the guidance of legendary fast bowlers Dennis Lillee and Dayle Hadlee at the cricket academy, he developed into a more consistent and effective bowler. In the 1996/97 season, while playing for Wellington, Davis demonstrated significant progress. Although his pace had slightly reduced, his wicket-taking abilities remained intact, and he showcased improved control over his deliveries.

In recognition of his progress, Davis was selected for the New Zealand ‘A’ side against England in 1997. Subsequently, he earned a call-up for the third Test of the series, marking his return to international cricket. Throughout the 1996/97 season, Davis showed immense growth, proving that he had overcome his previous problems. However, he would occasionally fall back into old habits when attempting to bowl at an excessively high pace. While he was not known for his swing bowling, his main weapons were his ability to generate bounce and hostility, accompanied by a touch of seam movement.

Davis faced considerable adversity during the series against Sri Lanka in 1997, as he battled injuries to his heel and knee, which left him limping. Despite his physical challenges, he continued to display immense courage, determination, and skill, bowling admirably against the opposition. His heroic performance not only inspired his teammates but also earned him a special place in the hearts of the general public, elevating him to cult status.

Although Davis’s international career was relatively short-lived, spanning only three Tests, his resilience, growth, and passion for the game left an indelible impression on the cricketing world. He showed that with dedication and hard work, one can overcome even the most challenging of obstacles.

After retiring from cricket, Davis transitioned into other endeavors but continued to be involved in the sport as a coach and mentor. His contributions to the game, both as a player and in his post-playing career, have made him an influential figure in New Zealand cricket.

With an intriguing journey that highlights perseverance and determination, Heath Te-Ihi-O-Te-Rangi Davis serves as an inspiration to aspiring cricketers and stands as a testament to the power of overcoming adversity in pursuit of greatness.

Heath Davis career stats

Batting stats

Batting Matches Innings Nos Runs High score Ave BF SR 100s 50s 4s 6s Ct St
Tests 5 7 4 20 8* 6.66 125 16 0 0 1 0 4 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs 11 6 4 13 7* 6.5 33 39.39 0 0 0 0 2 0
FC 71 81 34 538 38* 11.44 - - 0 0 - - 26 0
List A 47 23 12 140 21 12.72 - - 0 0 - - 12 0
T20s - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Bowling stats

Bowling Matches Innings Balls Runs Wkts BBI BBM Ave Econ SR 4w 5w 10w
Tests 5 9 1010 499 17 5/63 6/98 29.35 2.96 59.4 0 1 0
T20Is - - - - - - - - - - - - -
ODIs 11 11 432 436 11 4/35 4/35 39.63 6.05 39.2 1 0 0
FC 71 - 11682 6693 215 5/32 - 31.13 3.43 54.3 - 6 0
List A 47 - 1998 1656 45 4/35 4/35 36.8 4.97 44.4 1 0 0
T20s - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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